Free Bible lesson for kids · Ministry in Galilee
Jesus Walks on the Water
In the night Jesus came to the disciples walking on the sea. Peter walked on the water to Him, but when he saw the wind he was afraid and began to sink. Jesus caught him.
- Bible passage
- Matthew 14:22–33 · Mark 6:45–52 · John 6:15–21
- Big idea
- Keep your eyes on Jesus.
- Memory verse
But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
Matthew 14:27 (KJV)- Ages
- Preschool to preteen (3 to 12), with tips for each age
- Time
- About 45 minutes
- Included, free
- Animated story film, coloring page, class sheet, teacher guide, questions and answers, a game
The story
Jesus sent His disciples ahead in a boat and went up a mountain alone to pray (Matthew 14:22–23). Out on the sea, the boat was tossed by waves, for the wind was against them (Matthew 14:24). In the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. The disciples cried out for fear, saying, “It is a spirit” (Matthew 14:25–26). But Jesus said, “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid” (Matthew 14:27).
Peter said, “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.” Jesus said, “Come” (Matthew 14:28–29). Peter walked on the water, but when he saw the strong wind, he was afraid and began to sink. He cried, “Lord, save me” (Matthew 14:29–30). Jesus caught him at once (Matthew 14:31). In the boat, the disciples worshipped Jesus, saying, “Of a truth thou art the Son of God” (Matthew 14:33).
Read it in the Bible: Matthew 14:22–33 (KJV)
22And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. 24But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
Read it in the Bible: Mark 6:45–52 (KJV)
45And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. 46And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. 47And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. 48And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. 49But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: 50For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. 51And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. 52For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.
Read it in the Bible: John 6:15–21 (KJV)
15When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone. 16And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, 17And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. 18And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. 19So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. 20But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. 21Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.
Questions to ask
How did Jesus come to the boat?
Walking on the sea.
Why did Peter begin to sink?
He saw the wind boisterous and was afraid.
What did Jesus do when Peter cried out?
He stretched out His hand and caught him.
What this story teaches
- Jesus made time to be alone with God in prayer (Matthew 14:23).
- Jesus has power over the wind and the waves (Matthew 14:25, 32).
- Fear grows when we look at the storm instead of Jesus (Matthew 14:30).
- Jesus saves those who cry out to Him (Matthew 14:30–31).
- Jesus is the Son of God, worthy of worship (Matthew 14:33).
Jesus Saves Those Who Call
When Peter cried out to Jesus to save him, Jesus caught him. Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Romans 10:13
A 45-minute lesson plan
| 5 min | Welcome and pray. Greet each child by name and pray: Ask Jesus to help us keep our eyes on Him. |
|---|---|
| 10 min | The story. Play the story film: each verse appears on screen in the King James Version while the scene plays. Pause to ask what happens next. |
| 10 min | Talk about it. Ask the three questions below. Then ask: “Keep your eyes on Jesus.” What does that mean for us? |
| 5 min | Memory verse. Say Matthew 14:27 together, covering one word at a time until the children can say it alone. |
| 10 min | Activity. Younger children color the coloring page while you retell the story; older children do the class sheet (memory-verse fill-in, word search and questions). |
| 5 min | Pray and send home. Pray together and send the sheet home so families can talk about the first question this week. |
- Preschool: keep it short and physical. Act out the story, use a simple prop, and repeat the big idea in one sentence.
- Elementary: let children find the passage in their own Bibles. Ask “who, what, where” questions first, then “why.”
- Preteens: read the verses before and after the passage, and ask how this story fits the whole story of the Bible.
Game time
For kids · game · indoors · about 10 minutes
Stepping Stones
You need: Two paper plates for each child
- The floor is the sea. Each child gets two paper plates as stepping stones.
- Cross the room by standing on one plate, placing the other ahead, stepping onto it and picking up the one behind.
- If you step in the sea, go back and start again.
Peter walked on the water while he looked at Jesus. When he began to sink, Jesus caught him.
For youth group · game · indoors · about 12 minutes
Eyes on the Guide
You need: Full cups of water, tape for a line on the floor
- One teen walks the tape line carrying a full cup of water.
- The rest of the group shouts distractions; only their teammate the “guide” gives true directions.
- Fastest walk with the least water spilled wins.
When Peter looked at the wind, he sank. Keep your eyes on Jesus.
Pray
Ask Jesus to help us keep our eyes on Him.